Show ContentsMacLaughin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. MacLaughin originally appeared in Gaelic as Mac Lochlainn or Ó Maoilsheachlainn. The first name is derived from a Norse personal name, while the second name originally designated a follower of St. Secundinus.

Early Origins of the MacLaughin family

The surname MacLaughin was first found in County Meath (Irish: An Mhí) anciently part of the kingdom of Brega, located in Eastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 A.D.

Muircheartach Mac Lochlainn (died 1166), was king of Tír Eoghain, and High King of Ireland (c.1156-1166.) Together with sixteen of his closest allies, he was killed and was succeeded by Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair.

Niall Mac Lochlainn (died 1176) was a king of Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill, son of Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn.

Early History of the MacLaughin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacLaughin research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1002, 1172, 1387, 1404, 1405, 1506, 1699, 1784, 1797 and 1857 are included under the topic Early MacLaughin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacLaughin Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname MacLaughin are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include MacLoughlin, McLoughlin, MacGloughlin, Lochlain, Claughan and many more.

Early Notables of the MacLaughin family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Cearbhall mac Lochlainn Ó Dálaigh (died 1404), an Irish poet, Chief Ollam of Ireland (1387-1405); Paidin mac Lochlainn Ó Mailchonaire (died 1506), an Irish poet; Charles Macklin (1699-1797), originally Cathal MacLochlainn in Irish, or Charles McLaughlin...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacLaughin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacLaughin family

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name MacLaughin or a variant listed above: Thomas, Bridget, Catherine and Helen MacLoughlin who settled in Quebec in 1849; Bernard, Charles, Denis, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William MacLoughlin all arrived in Philadelphia between 1823 and 1860. The family also settled in Newfoundland between 1792 and 1872..



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